***George will most likely take this one because he is beloved in the acting

community, but French actor Jean Dujardin was delightful, endearing, and so funny

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

+GLENN CLOSE / Albert Nobbs - "ALBERT NOBBS”

VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark - “THE HELP”

*MERYL STREEP / Margaret Thatcher - “THE IRON LADY”

TILDA SWINTON / Eva - “WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN”

MICHELLE WILLIAMS / Marilyn Monroe - “MY WEEK WITH MARILYN”

***Meryl is geared to win, and don't get me wrong, she was excellent... like ALWAYS.

But,come on man, Glenn Close plays a MAN... sort of. And she is long overdue for an

actual film award. Meryl's won a SAG twice. And I know it shouldn't matter,

but come on... it does.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

KENNETH BRANAGH / Sir Laurence Olivier - “MY WEEK WITH MARILYN”

ARMIE HAMMER / Clyde Tolson - "J. EDGAR"

JONAH HILL / Peter Brand - "MONEYBALL"

NICK NOLTE / Paddy Conlon - “WARRIOR”

*+CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Hal - “BEGINNERS”

***Chris Plummer is amazing and any 82-year-old that plays a newly-out-of-the-closet

gay man is gonna take home the prize. He is also long overdue.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

BÉRÉNICE BEJO / Peppy - "THE ARTIST"

+JESSICA CHASTAIN / Celia Foote - “THE HELP”

MELISSA McCARTHY / Megan - “BRIDESMAIDS”

JANET McTEER / Hubert Page - "ALBERT NOBBS”

*OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson - “THE HELP”

***Octavia is on a roll and will likely get Oscar gold, but I think people like this

character because she exacts the crazy revenge that we all would like to exact

sometimes(but would never do). Newcomer Jessica Chastain is superb in her role as

naive Celia. But, I'm sure Chastain will be nominated many more times in her career...

Spencer... not so sure.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

*THE ARTIST

BRIDESMAIDS

THE DESCENDANTS

+THE HELP

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

***typically, whatever film wins this award goes on to win the Best Picture Oscar. But, I think "The Help" had the strongest cast performance this year (although I don't think it deserves the Oscar win). So, it's really down to "The Artist" and "The Descendants" and the french film is an industry favorite... not to mention an underdog and everyone loves a good underdog story. Also, the producer told the story of his father winning an Oscar many years ago and not being able to afford a ticket to accept his statue. This is some definite motivation to get him on the stage.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

+LAURENCE FISHBURNE / Thurgood Marshall - “THURGOOD” (HBO)

PAUL GIAMATTI / Ben Bernanke - “TOO BIG TO FAIL” (HBO)

GREG KINNEAR / Jack Kennedy - “THE KENNEDYS” (REELZ CHANNEL)

*GUY PEARCE / Monty Beragon - “MILDRED PIERCE“ (HBO)

JAMES WOODS / Richard Fuld - “TOO BIG TO FAIL” (HBO)

***This could be anyones prize... mainly because, who cares? But, Fishburne is a

tremendous actor, long overdue for some serious recognition.

Pearce is brilliant too, so either way, it's good.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries